What do you hope to achieve?

Understanding your key objectives is the first step to focusing your efforts and making sure you get maximum value for money in your office interior design. These may include:

• Providing staff with technology to work in new ways
• Reducing office expenses and becoming more efficient
• Creating a sustainable workplace environment
• Building a positive reputation and becoming an employer of choice Creating an inspiring environment that staff enjoys spending time in and support their needs.

Once you’ve listed your key objectives, place them in order of priority. This will narrow down the scope of the project and ensure it delivers a return on your investment.

Small changes that make a big difference

Once you understand your key objectives, it’s time to assess your office design and layout, to see what changes you can make that will help you achieve your goals. Often, small changes can make a big difference to your workplace environment while keeping within the restraints of your budget.

New furniture

Buying new office furniture is one of the fastest ways to dramatically change the look of office space. Something as simple as swapping traditional partitions with streamlined workspaces can open up space and create a more collaborative team environment. Modern chairs and desks can also allow you to create a healthier workplace for your staff.

Before you start shopping, make sure you conduct an ergonomic assessment of your existing furniture and consider what styles would best reflect your brand. Also consider how the furniture is used each day, so you choose items that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Fresh paint

A fresh coat of paint or a new colour scheme can make a world of difference to your workplace. Not only can it rejuvenate a tired-looking office, but a change in colour may also enhance their productivity and support their emotional wellbeing.

Choosing a colour scheme for a workplace is an important decision, so it’s best to seek professional advice. Our interior design experts always consider the overall size, shape, and layout – as well as the different usages – of workspaces, as well as how colour will enhance both natural and artificial light. They also consider your brand personality in order to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for staff and visitors.

New layout

A new office layout can help your teams work more efficiently and give them the space they need to collaborate effectively. Your office layout can be carefully redesigned to maximise natural light, eliminate wires and other clutter, support operational workflows and provide your people with casual spaces to relax and recharge. You’ll also need to consider elements like storage and administration areas for your staff.

There is a growing trend towards flexible, agile workspaces that can be easily reconfigured on demand for a range of purposes. This offers more value for money than a permanent layout, which may quickly become outdated as your business grows and changes.

A new kitchen or breakout area

Research shows taking regular breaks can make workforces happier, more focused and more productive. In fact, “Brief mental breaks will actually help you stay focused on your task!” Creating a modern kitchen or casual dining area is one of the best ways to encourage staff to step away from their desk and take breaks during the day. It also gives teams an opportunity to socialise and provides an informal space to chat and collaborate on cross-team projects. These are also important elements of creating a positive workplace culture that will attract and retain staff over the long term.

It is recommended to have one square meter of clear space for each employee in the kitchen or dining areas, excluding furniture and décor. This will ensure the area is safe and gives staff enough room to relax and enjoy their coffee or meal.

Technology upgrade

The right technology is critical for business productivity, efficiency, and growth. Your IT systems should support staff and help them stay agile while preparing your business for the future. If your staffs are frustrated and your IT isn’t keeping up with the latest technology trends, it might be time for a formal review.

Make sure you’re across best-practice technology solutions to suit your budget and improve your day-to-day operations. This may mean moving your business into the cloud or installing systems that better align with your workflows. Make sure you consider on-site storage or server needs, and adequate wifi and other internal tech essentials